San Antonio - Part 1

We went to San Antonio around spring break again this year for a family reunion with Benny's side of the family. Last year was pretty difficult traveling with the kids at 3 in the morning. This year was much better, both with them being a year older and having much better flight times. Riser was very excited to fly on a plane! And ride in the shuttle, and see the airport, and just about every bit of the process. 

They both got wings, which they were very excited about.

The longest flight on the way there, the kids befriended some kids sitting in front of us and literally played the entire flight together. They shared toys, made each other pictures, passed snacks back and forth, and just had the best time. It was truly so sweet. The little boy Calvin couldn't wait to give Bonnie a hug at the end of the flight. He told her he knew he would never see her again, but they exchanged pictures with each others' names to remember each other by.

We arrived in San Antonio late Saturday night, and the kids were ready for bed by then. The next morning they got lots of snuggles with the grandparents.

Alison, Shary and their cousins Sienna and Sydney showed up that next day around lunchtime. Sydney barely walked in the door before Bonnie was asking her to play 'art store' and 'babysitter' with her. Apparently she had all kinds of plans. 

They all got along so well and reunited quickly.

Baga got to do bath time with the kids, her favorite part.

Played some evening soccer in the backyard.

Bonnie enjoyed visiting Aunt Alison's 'salon' each morning.

We made our annual trip to Historic Market Square.

The amount of crafts that were done this week - it was Bonnie's absolute dream.

Sydney tried to teach Bonnie and Riser how to do a handstand.

We took the kids and Eric's dad to the Witte Museum one morning while the cousins were getting haircuts. There aren't a lot of touristy things we haven't done in San Antonio so it was fun to explore somewhere new! Plus Riser is very into dinosaurs right now.

We went to dinner with the larger family one night.

We enjoyed lots of time hanging around the house and out back. We had just come from a week of rain and cold in Virginia so the warmer weather was very nice.

We heard and saw lots of jets flying overhead (they live right next to an airbase). 

A great trip so far - to be continued!

March extras

March was still a pretty cold month, but we enjoyed some hints of spring weather. We had playdates with friends.

Bonnie wanted a more drastic haircut, so we cut off more and she wanted bangs like her Kirsten doll. 

Chickens were chased.

Bonnie and I got to go see Eleanor's middle school play. It was SO great! We were very impressed.

We went to Busch Gardens and ran into cousins!

Riser got to ride his first little roller coaster with Ben. He sure loves Ben.

We went to see Bonnie's little chapel performance at school, and got a picture with her best friend Eden.

Bonnie attempted to make a homemade kite.

She also got to go to a craft workshop birthday party - her dream. 

We made green and gold rice crispie treats for St. Patrick's Day.

Riser and I enjoyed some walks while Bonnie was in school.

Eric came to visit and got to watch the kids at their various sports and hang out for a few days.

Riser 'helping' grandpa Dave fix the garbage disposal. 

Cuddles with Grandma.

Dinner with the cousins.

Riser loves playing with any little figurines on the floor - usually dinosaurs, sharks, or cars.

Fishing with dad.

Riser had his 3 year check up.

We went to a crab boil at a neighbor's house, and Riser was very very interested in the crawfish. 

It was a great month - looking forward to visiting Benny's parents in April!

Riser is THREE

At officially three years old, our boy is 38 inches tall (39th percentile) and 29 pounds (21st percentile). He is a very physically and verbally active little boy. He rarely stops moving or talking. He is getting to the point where he is starting to correct a lot of the cute words he used to not be able to pronounce. Most notably, he has always called Bonnie 'Bobby'. Not anymore - but that will forever be a nickname for her at this point. Some of the ones he still says incorrectly: 'guess so' (guess what), 'what he dat' (what is that), 'sprinkly' (wrinkly), 'I so miss you mommy' (I missed you so much mommy), 'lilly' (really), 'lion' (dino). 

I don't think I can get across the point enough - he doesn't stop talking. Especially if someone else is talking, he refuses to be on the sidelines of any conversation. He must interrupt and put in his two cents. We are working hard on 'Excuse me' and being patient. 

As far as interests, Riser has zero interest in coloring or any sort of artwork. However he is very tactile, he loves kinetic sand, play doh, baths or anything water-related. He is eager to start soccer, it is very difficult to watch his sister from the sidelines, and often joins in on her practices. He loves to sing and dance. He also will often just independently play with his cars or little figurines on the floor and make up stories. Oh, he also has zero interest in potty-training. He has used the potty a handful of times but can't stand it.

Riser has come such a long way from two to three. He has so much more self-control when it comes to hitting/pushing/etc which was an issue for quite a while. He has a lot of emotions but he is much better at communicating them and working through them. Often times when I pick him up from childcare, he launches right into telling me every little thing he did that morning. He loves to instigate to get a reaction, and no matter how annoyed everyone else is - he's just having a good time, which is hard not to love. The boy has a twinkle in his eye. He continues to be a light and a joy to everyone around him, and we are just so thankful for him!